Islam
continues to be successful in the developed world, and elsewhere, because
its call is in accordance with the natural inclinations of mankind, and
it advocates the best of human values, such as tolerance, love, mercy,
truthfulness and sincerity.

Islam educates
people and lifts them up to righteous conduct, good manners and virtue.
Its call is distinguished from others by its realism, balance and moderation.
Islam pays due attention to both the soul and the body. It neither suppresses
physical desires nor allows extravagance in this regard; it makes a distinction
between the natural inclination to enjoy the pleasures of this world and
forbidden desires that come under the heading of depravity and perversion.

People embrace
Islam because they find security, comfort and peace in it, they see a cure
for their problems in it, and through it they are able to get rid of their
feelings of confusion, anxiety and loss.

Islam is the
religion of the fitrah, the natural inclination or pattern on which Allaah
has created mankind. For this reason, people of sound minds and upright
inclinations embrace Islam, as Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with
him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah
be upon him) said: ‘There is no child who is not born in a state of fitrah
(i.e., Islam), then his parents make him into a Jew, a Christian or a Magian
(Zoroastrian), just as animals produce whole animals (i.e., the animals
are born perfect with no part of their bodies missing). Do you find any
born with their ears cut off?’” Then Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased
with him) said: “ ‘… Allaah’s handiwork according to the pattern on
which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought)
by Allaah: that is the Standard Religion…’ [al-Room 30:30 – interpretation
of the meaning – Yusuf Ali’s translation].” (Reported by al-Bukhaari,
1359). What is meant is that Allaah has created mankind with the potential
to learn the truth, accept Tawheed (pure monotheism) and submit to Allaah.
Their natural inclination is to learn Islam and love it, but a bad education,
a kaafir (disbelieving) environment, their own whims and desires and the
devils among jinn and mankind turn them away from the truth.

Mankind is
basically inclined towards Tawheed (pure monotheism), as the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) reported that his Lord (Allaah)
said: “I created all my slaves as ‘hunafa’ (pure monetheists), but the
devils turned them away from their religion.” (Reported by Muslim). For
this reason the one who becomes a Muslim after having been a disbeliever
is described as having “reverted” to Islam, as this is more correct than
saying that he “converted.” When Islam enters a country where there is
no nationalism or great legacy of jaahiliyah (ignorance), it spreads quickly
because of its strength and the small number of obstacles. You may also
see that Islam is suitable for all people, educated and uneducated, male
and female, old and young; everyone finds in it what he wants and needs.
Those who become Muslim in developed countries realize what their country’s
civilization and laws, which have been fabricated from men’s whims and
desires, have done to them, and they realize the extent of the misery in
which people in developed countries are living. They see how prevalent
psychological illnesses, nervous breakdowns, insanity and suicides are,
despite the technological advances and great number of discoveries and
inventions and modern systems of management. This is because all of that
is concerned only with the physical and the outward, but it neglects the
inward and fails to nourish and nurture the heart and soul. Allaah says
of these people (interpretation of the meaning): “They know only the
outside appearance of the life of the world, and they are heedless of the
Hereafter.” [al-Room 30:7]

Islam will
continue to succeed, with the permission of Allaah, so long as those who
work for its sake are sincere and its followers adhere to it and believe
in it, and apply its laws.

The fact that
there are those who are not committed or who fall short will not prevent
Islam from succeeding, with the permission of Allaah, and nothing can distort
its beauty. Its light will not falter because some people abandon it or
fail to adhere to it. What Islam has given humanity in the way of progress
and civilization, and lifting them up from the darkness of oppression and
enmity, is pride enough.